SIGforum
Kitchen gimmicks that actually work, or don’t

This topic can be found at:
https://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/320601935/m/2020058164

October 09, 2019, 10:49 AM
corsair
Kitchen gimmicks that actually work, or don’t
I worked part-time at Williams-Sonoma for 18-months, I was able to afford a nicer place and I wanted better kitchen tools. The amount of crap that would be put-out every season AND people would load-up their shopping baskets:

Egg timer
Avocado peeler
Pineapple peeler
Apple slicer
Onion slicing googles
Garlic skin remover
Meat tenderizing forks

It could go on, and then come in different colors for the seasons. I don't know who's worse, the retailers that put out these 'must have' 'perfect tool' devices or, the rubes who buy them thinking it's better than learning a few fundamental cooking techniques.
October 09, 2019, 10:57 AM
HRK
We have the Magic Bullet, it does make a good margarita, or smoothie, and is simple to clean and use.

Wife got a few things from the women show one is a garlic press cleaner thing, works great and is easy,



October 09, 2019, 11:16 AM
Pipe Smoker
quote:
Originally posted by gearhounds:
quote:
Originally posted by V-Tail:
I would like to find something that will open a large, maybe 4" or 5" diameter, jar lid.

The Guillain Barré has left me with decreased grip strength and it is sometimes a struggle to open a new jar, especially with a larger size lid.


I’ve heard rubber strap oil filter wrenches work, but have never tried one.

I think the best tool of this type is the Craftsman Strap Wrench.

www.amazon.com/dp/B00K92810A/r..._api_i_QqGNDbFQXBBKV

I have the small one – opens every thing from bottle tops to large jar lids. I also used it to tighten my kitchen sink faucet.



Serious about crackers
October 09, 2019, 11:21 AM
pawprintsdoc
Thanks a lot, Pipe Smoker...you just cost me $20...I ordered a set of 2 of the Craftsman from Amazon.
October 09, 2019, 11:30 AM
thezoltar
quote:
Originally posted by V-Tail:
I would like to find something that will open a large, maybe 4" or 5" diameter, jar lid.

The Guillain Barré has left me with decreased grip strength and it is sometimes a struggle to open a new jar, especially with a larger size lid.


I use this big piece at home. No experience with the smaller tool.

https://www.amazon.com/Keeptop...d=1570638452&sr=8-24


======
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October 09, 2019, 11:33 AM
LS1 GTO
A Food Umbrella!!!

https://www.amazon.com/Umbrell...dExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=






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October 09, 2019, 11:43 AM
PASig
I'm really happy with this that we got as a wedding gift 7 years ago, it's so much better than trying to use a zester or a grater:




October 09, 2019, 11:53 AM
MikeinNC
This doohickey

Got it at some chef party Mrs Mike hosted ten years ago...it’s moved TWICE. First thing I did when we said we were moving to Texas, I took it down from under a cabinet and put it in my luggage.

Got one for my bro who has arthritis since he was 7, he loves it. You grab the bottom of the can or jar, shove it in there and twist, easy peasy.

ETA: Mrs Mike just said it’s from pampered chef. It says it can open jars from 3 1/2” or smaller...will this help VTail? If so INSTANT KARMA I will have one sent to you.

Send me an email if you can use it, my email is in my profile, please put sigforum in the subject line

This message has been edited. Last edited by: MikeinNC,



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October 09, 2019, 12:12 PM
Loswsmith
quote:
Originally posted by KDR:
Electric Tea Kettle: Gets used several times a day and heats the water fast and to the perfect temperature.

Immersion Blender: My wife had wanted one for a while, so I picked one up on whim. She used the heck out of it for about a week. I don't think she's touched it in over a year.


This, but I use my immersion blender all the time. Great for soups and sauces. I got mine at Costco at a great price. The whisk and other crap it came with got binned, but the adjustable immersion blender part get used at least twice a month (or more) during the fall - spring cold and wet season here in the PNW.


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October 09, 2019, 12:14 PM
Rosahane
My best bit of kit -that isn't a knife, is an Aeropress coffee maker. Makes a great brew, quick and easy to clean with no mess.
https://aeropress.com


..................................................
"Governments may think and say as they like, but force cannot be eliminated, and it is the only real and unanswerable power. We are told that the pen is mightier than the sword, but I know which of these weapons I would choose. - Sir Adrian Paul Ghislain Carton de Wiart, VC, KBE, CB, CMG, DSO.
October 09, 2019, 01:11 PM
Skins2881
quote:
Originally posted by V-Tail:
I would like to find something that will open a large, maybe 4" or 5" diameter, jar lid.

The Guillain Barré has left me with decreased grip strength and it is sometimes a struggle to open a new jar, especially with a larger size lid.


Under cabinet jar opener always there when you need it and out of sight as well as one less thing in the drawer. Works great, mine is 20+ years old.





Jesse

Sic Semper Tyrannis
October 09, 2019, 01:17 PM
corsair
quote:
Originally posted by Rosahane:
My best bit of kit -that isn't a knife, is an Aeropress coffee maker. Makes a great brew, quick and easy to clean with no mess.
https://aeropress.com

No gimmick, that's the device of a true coffee aficionado, compact and handy, great when you're in the backcountry.
October 09, 2019, 01:18 PM
mark123
quote:
Originally posted by Southflorida-law:
Wife and daughter bought a Magic Bullet juicer and damn if that thing doesn't work great. Use it all the time. I has to be at least 3 years old and will grind up 2x4's! Well, maybe not 2x4's.
I'm on my second one. The first one broke after 15 years. I use the thing just about every day.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mark123,
October 09, 2019, 01:26 PM
PeteF
Depending on the user, this is the best or worst kitchen gadget ever.
https://www.amazon.com/Hutzler...-reviews_feature_div
October 09, 2019, 01:36 PM
gearhounds
quote:
Originally posted by PeteF:
Depending on the user, this is the best or worst kitchen gadget ever.
https://www.amazon.com/Hutzler...-reviews_feature_div


The reviews are hysterical Big Grin




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October 09, 2019, 03:50 PM
P210
Our local pineapples are delicious. This does a great job and gets a lot of use.


October 09, 2019, 06:23 PM
jimmy123x
This $9.99 microwave egg cooker. You can put 2 eggs in it for 2 minutes in the microwave (with a touch of cooking spray on the surface) and 2 perfectly cooked eggs like in an egg mcmuffin come out. Or you can beat them a little and put whatever ingredients you want with them and get perfectly scrambled eggs or omelette.

https://www.bedbathandbeyond.c...microwave-egg-cooker
October 09, 2019, 06:31 PM
comet24
Microwave egg cooker. Great for making a quick egg sandwich.

https://www.amazon.com/Old-Hom...TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==





_____________________________________

Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain. Jack Kerouac
October 09, 2019, 08:03 PM
SigJacket
Everyone makes fun of the commercials... but the Slap Chop does, indeed, do a great job with nuts, quickly. Good for holiday cooking.


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October 09, 2019, 08:07 PM
henryaz
quote:
Originally posted by gearhounds:
quote:
Originally posted by V-Tail:
I would like to find something that will open a large, maybe 4" or 5" diameter, jar lid.

The Guillain Barré has left me with decreased grip strength and it is sometimes a struggle to open a new jar, especially with a larger size lid.


I’ve heard rubber strap oil filter wrenches work, but have never tried one.

They work very well. The set of two (large and small) I bought about 10 years ago were advertised as jar openers, but they work well for oil filters and even the metal cap that comes on gas bottles from the welder's supply place. I keep the smaller one in the kitchen (it will do most jars), and the larger in the garage. They are all over Amazon.



When in doubt, mumble